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Weaning is one of the most challenging phases in a piglet's life, marked by significant stressors that often lead to intestinal disturbances and diarrhea. For years, growth-promoting antibiotics have been used to counteract these effects, but their use has been increasingly restricted due to concerns over bacterial resistance.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate phytogenic compounds as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters like zinc bacitracin, assessing their potential to support gut health, antioxidant defense, and overall performance in weaned piglets.
Methods: Two experiments were conducted, comparing three dietary treatments: a control diet, a diet supplemented with zinc bacitracin (300 g/t), and a diet containing blended phytogenic compounds (400 g/t). In the first experiment, 15 crossbred piglets (castrated males, weaned at 28 days, averaging 9.4 kg) were housed in metabolic cages to assess the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude energy, and metabolizable energy, along with blood parameters and gut microbiota. The second experiment involved 108 crossbred piglets (females and castrated males, weaned at 26 days, averaging 7.52 kg) housed in group stalls to evaluate growth performance.
Results: Results showed no significant differences in digestibility or performance among the treatments. However, piglets receiving the phytogenic blend exhibited reduced levels of superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, and haptoglobin, along with increased levels of non-protein thiol compounds and IgA, indicating enhanced antioxidant defense. Additionally, there was a tendency for greater diversity in the intestinal microbiota of piglets fed the phytogenic supplement.
Conclusion: Given its positive effects on antioxidant status and gut microbiota, the phytogenic blend shows potential as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in weaned piglet diets.
Santos MKR, Seghetto R, Hauptli L, Paiano D, da Silva AS, Benetti Filho V, Wagner G, de Oliveira Moraes P. Blended phytogenics as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in newly weaned piglets. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2024 Dec 23;57(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-024-04225-2